Ho Ho HO!

Kind of late. But our Christmas was a good one. A super one. A magical one. Just like they should be!

The kiddos had their own Advent Calendars, of the 99 cent Trader Joe's variety! Don't judge me. One of these years(only been saying that for 9 now) I will fill up one of those super cute fancy ones with a super cute fun activity to do each day and seal it with loooove. Pfft. Like when I have grandchildren, maybe. Sorry offspring, but until then you're just going to have to settle for a piece of chocolate and a hug during the 24day countdown to Christmas. :)

We made(the kids made) a lovely Gingerbread House, and didn't kill each other in the process. Photographic proof...









We attended the Kelly Karnival at Greg's school. The kids had super fun noshing on pancakes and other breakfast fare. Followed by some fun crafts, but you can definitely tell G probably won't be asking to attend next year. Plus he said my pancakes were way "tighter" than the ones at the school. OOoh, score one for THIS betterthanschool's pancake-makin mama!



Caught!



And then trying to act innocent...



Again!




Can you tell the decorate your own cookie table was a big hit with my kiddos? I swear I feed them regularly at home...




My lovies.


We made our annual trip to Sloughhouse and picked out a rather plump tree. Then the kiddos helped decorate. And, of course, willingly posed next to the tree while doing so. Promises of m & m's played no part, swear...













And inbetween all the madness, gifts were wrapped, lights were seen, homemade hot cocoa w/marshmallows was consumed, MANY many times(by the kids, of course), baked goodies were made and delivered, and so on. Finally, it arrived. Christmas Eve. Which also happens to be my most wonderful hubba hubby's birthday! I won't disclose his age, men at his stage of the game really don't appreciate such acts. So we traveled out to Lincoln to visit Greg's side of the family and celebrate the birthday's(it is also Greg''s stepfather's birthday on Christmas Eve) We ate a most delicious dinner made by Carol, visited, played games. Then the time came for the mini's to put out cookies for Santa and his reindeer and get their shut eye on! I didn't stay up that much longer, just long enough to help Santa fill the stockings and put out the Santa Gifts. In the morning we woke up, Mama Carol made a very yummy breakfast, hubby came back from work(he's on the graveyard shift, total lameness :() and we all opened gifts. The kids made out like bandits, like they always do, and were so happy and thankful for each gift they opened. Greg and I also received some very nice and thoughtful gifts.































Later that day we came home and had the second and third round of gifts. These kids are SPOILED! :) All in all it was a really great Christmas, the ONLY thing that would of made it better would of been husband not having to work and the whole time. But this is what he does for his family, and I am forever thankful to him for ALL that he does. I am one very lucky wifey/mama. :)

And just a few more photos, for those still with me on this one...